Method for pressure sealing radiator leaks



Nov. 5, 1957 l. w. BEALER 2,812,258

METHOD FOR PRESSURE SEALING RADIATOR LEAKS Filed Dec. '1, ess

l5 5 Q3! 28 2? 30 2o 2s 23 T is ga E rJ lax W27! 2,812,268 METHODFOR=PRESSURE.SEALING RADIATOR LEAKS Irving W. Bealer, Detroit, Mich.Application December 7, "195 3, 'Serial No. 396,625

3' Claims. c1. 117:2

This'inventionrelatesto vehicleradiators andhas particular reference toa method and means for sealing, by impregnation, the leaks in radiators.

An object of the invention is to provide means for sealing radiatorleaks by a method in which a sealing fluid is circulated through theinterior of a radiator, while under a pressure and at a temperaturewhich is substantially above the operating pressures and temperaturesencountered in the radiator under normal conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of the characterindicated, which will produce uniform and certain end results at alltimes, in as much as there is positive regulation and control over thematerial and working elements during the entire work cycle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and means forsealing radiator leaks, which will detect and remedy the most minuteleaks, which are generally overlooked by conventional methods.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a method of sealingradiators, which will insure against rupture or failure of the sealthroughout a great range of operating temperatures, and will withstandthe mechanical stresses developed during the moving and twisting of theradiator while in use, and the fatigue failure of the joints and thelike.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention willbecome more apparent as the description proceeds, reference being madefrom time to time to the accompanying drawing forming part of the withindisclosure, in which drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a device embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device illustrated in Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, it will be understoodthat in the embodiment herein disclosed, the reference character 7indicates a water tank constructed of sufiiciently heavy materials toWithstand a considerably high internal pressure. The tank 7 is providedwith a conventional heating element 8, which may be in the form of aChromolux rod, or other suitable element, whereby the contents of thetank 7 may be heated. The reference character 9 indicates a thermometerfor indicating the internal temperature of the tank 7. A filler spout10, having an air-tight cap 11 is provided near one end of the tank, andthe tank is provided with a fluid level indicator 12 and valves 13 and14. The tank is preferably mounted on a suitable dollie 15, so that itmay readily be moved from place to place. Also supported on the dollie15 is an electric motor 16 which is arranged to drive water pump 17through the shaft coupling 18. The intake side of the pump 17 isconnected, by means of a water line 19, to the end of the tank, as at20. The outlet side of the pump 17 is connected, by means of a waterline 21, as at 22, to the lower end of the radiator 23. A shut off valve24 is provided in the line 21. The upper end of the radiator UnitedStates Patent 23 is connected, asat 25, to'a'return Water line 26 whichis connected, asat 27, to the interior of the tankto complete awater-tight'and air tight system. An airline 28 'having a pressure gauge29 and a relief valve 30therein 'of the joints or solder connections, orbecause of other reasons too'numerous'to mention,"all of which are wellknown in the radiator art.

Heretofore,it has been the practice to seal the leaks by dumping intothe cooling system of the internal combustion engine, a conventionalsealing compound which sets up and hardens when brought into contactwith the atmosphere. Such methods have left much to be desired, in thatthey depended entirely upon the circulatory means of the cooling system,which normally functions at a predetermined temperature and with verylittle pres sure. The results obtained by methods now known to thepublic have been uncertain, unpredictable and unsatisfactory, in thatmany minute leaks, cracks, and loose joints existing in the radiatorscould not be detected, because there was not sufiicient pressure in thesystem to bring them out.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the instant invention to providea method and means for impregnating any leaks or openings in theradiator, however minute. This is accomplished by circulating throughthe radiator a suitable sealing and binding material, which will beforced through any openings at a temperature, and under a pressure,which i substantially in excess of the normal operating temperature andpressure of the radiator. I prefer to use any asbestos base sealer,which is replete with multitudinous asbestos fibers, which will functionunder a great variety of temperatures, and which will withstand thevarious mechanical stresses developed dur ing the moving and twisting ofthe radiator when in use on a vehicle, and which will withstand theother fatigues.

developed in the radiator of a cooling system during normal operations.of water or other suitable solvents, and under the proper temperatureand pressure factors as herein described, will form virtual flexibleplugs in the leaks and radiator openings, which will Withstand all ofthe vicissitudes enumerated herein.

The method is practiced as follows:

The radiator 23 is removed from the vehicle and supported on the stand31 or in any other suitable manner, so that the fluid lines 21 and 26may be connected thereto. Water or other suitable fluid is then placedin the tank 7, through the filler pipe 10, to a suitable level, which isindicated by the level indicator 12. The contents of the tank are thenbrought to the preferred temperature of from to 210 degrees Fahrenheit,by means of the heating element 8. The liquid is then circulated throughthe radiator by means of the pump 17 until the tempera tures throughoutthe system are equalized. The sealer is then introduced into the tank 7through the filler 10 and the mixture of sealer and liquid is circulatedthrough the system for a suitable length of time.

Air under positive gage pressure ranging from 5 to 15 pounds per squareinch is then introduced into the tank 7 through the air line 28, whichpressure is maintained while the circulation of liquid and sealercontinues for approximately one-half hour. The circulation of liquid andsealer is then stopped and the system is held under Such a sealer, whenin the presence pressure until the radiator cools to a point where itcan be easily handled. The pressure is then released manuis found thatall of the leaks and openings in the radiator have been impregnated byplug like formations of the sealer, which will in the future withstandall of the normaloperating conditions of the engine Cooling system inwhich the radiator is used.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. The method of impregnating a radiator with a sealing material, whichconsists of circulating the sealing material through the radiator undera positive gage pressure above the normal operating pressure and at atemperature at or above the normal operating temperature, then stoppingsaid circulation in said radiator, and allowing the sealing material tocool while under said pressure.

2. The method defined in claim 1, in which the sealer employed containsa fibrous substance which, upon cooling while under said positive gagepressure, forms flexible plugs in any undesirable openings in saidradiator.

3. The method defined .in claim 1, in which the sealer employed containsa fibrous material, which is circulated through the radiator underatemperature ranging from 180 to 210 degrees Fahrenheit, and under apositive gage pressure ranging from 5 to 15 pounds per square inch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS892,521 Hoag July 7, 1908 1,057,454 Rice Apr. 1, 1913 1,281,690 SternOct. 15, 1918 1,287,734 Gould Dec. 31, 1918 2,471,856 Blair May 31, 1949

1. THE METHOD OF IMPREGNATING A RADIATOR WITH A SEALING MATERIAL, WHICHCOMSISTS OF CIRCULATING THE SEALING MATERIAL THROUGH THE RADIATOR UNDERA POSITIVE GAGE PRESURE ABOVE THE NORMAL OPERATING PRESSURE AND AT ATEMPERATURE AT OR ABOVE THE NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, THEN STOPPINGSIAD CIRCULATION IN SAID RADIATOR, AND ALLOWING THE SEALING MATERIAL TOCOOL WHILE UNDER SAID PRESSURE.